AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got it, Boss,” she said. “On my way.”
She hung up and tried not to sound relieved as she said, “Sorry, David. It’s a case. Gotta go. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
David blinked and said, “Oh, um … okay.”
Faith kissed his cheek and called Turk to come. “Sorry!” she called as she walked quickly to her car.
When she pulled onto the street, she heaved a sigh of exasperation. This was turning out to be a far more stressful morning than she planned for.
She felt a touch of guilt about the way she handled the conversation with David, but for God’s sake, what was she supposed to say? “Yes, David, please take me to the courthouse and make me Mrs. Friedman?” It had only been a month.
She shook her head and groaned. Next to her, Turk huffed irritably.
“Oh, shut up,” she said grouchily.
Turk complied but cast her an irritated glance as he settled into the seat next to her. Faith took a breath and decided to put the David issue out of her mind, along with the psychologist issue.
She had a case. She would focus on that and leave the rest to be dealt with later.
CHAPTER TWO
Michael accelerated smoothly onto the interstate, nodding appreciatively at the lack of body roll and bounce from the big SUV. He was skeptical about the air suspension at first, but he had to admit that it was the most comfortable ride he’d ever had.
He wondered what Faith would say when she saw it? She’d probably bust his balls and call him Special Agent Princess or something like that. She drove a 1996 Crown Victoria that had over three hundred thousand miles on it and would probably run over a hundred more before she finally allowed it to die a merciful death.
Well, she’d get the chance to bust his balls in a moment, assuming the Boss didn’t find a reason to bust both of their balls, a likely occurrence. Monroe—known to his agents simply as the Boss—had been in a relatively good mood ever since Michael and Faith had apprehended the Weed Killer and spared the Boss further frustration from Deputy Director Smythe. However, the Boss in a good mood was meaner than most pit bulls in a bad mood, so that didn’t mean he and Faith would be spared the full force of his cantankerousness.
Not that Michael minded. A part of him rather enjoyed being a caricature of a sour-faced detective working for a caricature of a sour-faced boss. He felt like Dick Tracy or—what was the name of that guy from those old detective novels his dad used to read? Archie something or other?
Anyway, he was in a good mood no matter what Monroe had in store for him today. He had just come from Ellie’s place, and as usual after spending a night with Ellie, he was riding on a cloud of joy and not just advanced, active adapting air suspension.
He reached the field office just in time to see Faith drive her ancient cop car past the gate. He honked his horn, and both Faith and the gate guard offered him a finger. He laughed and tipped the gate guard a twenty to calm any sore nerves, then followed his partner into the garage.
When he got out of his car, Turk leapt into his arms, wagging his tail and whining with excitement. “Hey, boy!” he said. “Good to see you too!”
Turk barked exuberantly, and Michael said, “I know, your mommy never brings you to visit anymore. What a mean mommy, keeping you away like that.”
“You can visit, too, dumbass,” Faith said. “You know, when you’re not busy playing hide the salami with your new girlfriend.”
“There’s no need to be mean because you’re jealous,” Michael said smugly.
Faith rolled her eyes. “Keep it up, and I won’t buy you coffee from that fancy hipster shop you like later.”
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?” Michael said, smiling sweetly.
“Good save,” Faith said, “but you’re on probation.”
They headed inside and went straight to Monroe’s office. As usual, the Boss wore a deep scowl as he regarded the two agents.
“Prince, what the hell’s up with you?” he asked Michael. “You look like you just lost your virginity.”
Michael reddened, slightly irritated that the Boss’s words could have this effect on him. It didn’t help that Faith snickered when the Boss said that, but it did help that the Boss snapped his eyes to Faith and said, “What’s so funny, Bold?” wiping the smile from Faith’s face.
Michael couldn’t resist. “Boss, you look particularly healthy today. I see the new diet is helping.”
“Funny,” the Boss replied in a tone that made it clear it wasn’t. “When you two are ready to be adults, I have a case for you.”
“Go ahead, Boss,” Faith said in the clipped, professional tone she always adopted when she was on the job.
